"Meet the neurosurgeon who believes life could be eternal."

Views expressed in this science and technology update are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 05 December 2024, 1405 UTC.

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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiisciencejournal.blogspot.com).

Science | The Guardian

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‘With brain preservation, nobody has to die’: meet the neuroscientist who believes life could be eternal

400+Science | The Guardian / 3d

A brilliant young scientist believes that if we preserve our brains, they could be revived in the future, helping us live for centuries Elizabeth Hughes Gossett shouldn’t have survived beyond 11, the age at which she developed type 1 diabetes. Born in Albany, New York, Gossett received her diagnosis in 1918 when diabetes had no known treatment. Tragically, her life expectancy was just a matter of

The brain microbiome: could understanding it help prevent dementia?

300+Science | The Guardian / 3d

Long thought to be sterile, our brains are now believed to harbour all sorts of micro-organisms, from bacteria to fungi. How big a part do they play in Alzheimer’s and similar diseases? Nine years ago, Nikki Schultek, an active and healthy woman in her early 30s, experienced a sudden cascade of debilitating and agonising symptoms – including cognitive and breathing problems and heart arrhythmia –

Google DeepMind predicts weather more accurately than leading system

DeepMind AI improves weather forecasting

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300+Science | The Guardian / 21h

AI program GenCast performed better than ENS forecast at predicting day-to-day weather and paths of hurricanes and cyclones For those who keep an eye on the elements, the outlook is bright: researchers have built an artificial intelligence-based weather forecast that makes faster and more accurate predictions than the best system available today. GenCast, an AI weather program from Google DeepMin

Yesterday

Revisited: Secrets of the gut microbiome – podcast

Science | The Guardian / 8h

Ian Sample speaks to colorectal surgeon and researcher James Kinross about the miraculous world of our gut microbiome, how modern life is impacting it, and what we can do to look after it Because of industrial action taking place by members of the National Union of Journalists at the Guardian and Observer this week, we are re-running an episode from earlier in the year. For more information pleas

Scientists close to solving mystery of how universe's giant galaxies formed

28Science | The Guardian / 13h

‘Cosmic collisions’ 12bn years ago could be key to understanding formation, say researchers Galaxies crashing together 12bn years ago could have caused the universe’s biggest galaxies to form, according to research. A study by astronomers at the University of Southampton is hoping to solve what they are calling an “intergalactic mystery” of how elliptical galaxies were created. Continue reading..

Eating dark chocolate regularly could reduce type 2 diabetes risk, study finds

Dark chocolate reduces diabetes risk

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73Science | The Guardian / 14h

Researchers say risk could be reduced by 21% but connection ‘controversial’ Eating a few pieces of dark chocolate five times a week while avoiding milk chocolate has been linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes . The connection between chocolate consumption and type 2 diabetes risk is “controversial”, according to researchers, although they highlight that most previous studies did not explore

Trump taps billionaire and private astronaut Jared Isaacman to lead Nasa

Science | The Guardian / 19h

Aerospace defense firm founder was first civilian to walk in space and led first flight of all-private crew of astronauts A billionaire entrepreneur who led the first flight of an all-private crew of astronauts , and became the first civilian to walk in space earlier this year, has been nominated by Donald Trump to be the next leader of Nasa. If confirmed by the Senate, Jared Isaacman, also an ex

Exposure to air pollution increases infertility risk, US study finds

Science | The Guardian / 1d

Research shows common air pollutants can be detrimental to egg, sperm and embryo development Maternal and paternal exposure to common air pollutants may increase the risk of infertility because it can be detrimental to egg, sperm and embryo development, new research in the US finds. Previous papers have established that air pollution exposure probably contributes to infertility, but it has been u

Most teenagers recover from long Covid after two years, study shows

Most young people recover from Long Covid

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Science | The Guardian / 1d

World’s largest ‘longitudinal cohort study’ reports that older teens and society’s most disadvantaged most likely to be affected Most teenagers who have suffered from long Covid recover within two years, according to the largest study of its kind. But the researchers said more work was needed to understand why some children still had ongoing health problems two years after infection. Continue rea

Dec 3, 2024

Four minutes of daily exertion can halve heart attack risk in women, finds study

Short bursts of exercise reduce heart risk

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Science | The Guardian / 1d

Bursts of intense movement such as climbing stairs can make big difference to health, finds UK Biobank research Women who add four minutes a day of high-intensity routine activities such as climbing the stairs instead of taking a lift could halve their risk of heart attacks, a study suggests. Less than five minutes of brief bouts of exertion in everyday life could have a significant effect on hea

Experts create controllable gastric balloon to aid weight loss

Science | The Guardian / 1d

Device inflates before eating and contracts afterwards, simulating the effects of having a meal, say scientists From weight loss jabs to vibrating pills , the obesity crisis has spawned myriad innovations to help people shed pounds. Now scientists have overhauled the humble gastric balloon – producing a device that inflates and deflates to keep it effective for longer. Continue reading...

Dec 2, 2024

What really helps with hangovers? – podcast

Science | The Guardian / 2d

What if you could take a pill or a shot that could reduce your blood alcohol level and make you feel better in the morning? That’s the promise of a range of wellness products aiming to be the next big hangover antidote. But what exactly are hangovers, and which methods of preventing them are backed by science? Madeleine Finlay speaks to Dr Sally Adams, an alcohol researcher and associate professo

Atmospheric analysis shows Venus never had Earth-like life, scientists say

Venus never had liquid water

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21Science | The Guardian / 2d

Research indicates planet’s interior is dry in blow to theories that it was previously habitable With a surface hot enough to melt lead and with clouds of sulphuric acid above it, it is a planet often called Earth’s “evil twin” – similar in size, yet worlds apart. Some scientists have long believed it was once much more hospitable, home to cooler temperatures and oceans of liquid water. But now r

Gluttony, lust and the other ‘deadly sins’ are seen as immoral, but are we hardwired to commit them? | Guy Leschziner

Science | The Guardian / 3d

Scientists are increasingly finding that behaviours once seen as depraved often have a direct physical cause The first thing that strikes me when I visit Alex in her supported accommodation is the huge lock on the kitchen door. The accessible rooms are devoid of any food or drink, the exception being two dispensers of sugar-free squash in the living room. Even the food-waste bin outside the back

Dec 1, 2024

Starwatch: crescent moon and Venus make a beautiful pairing

Science | The Guardian / 3d

Slender curve of the moon and bright beacon of Venus will be visible in the south-south-west on 5 December No matter how many times you may have seen it, the crescent moon and the planet Venus make a beautiful pairing. This week, as twilight closes around the landscape, the duo will appear in the south-south-west. The chart shows the view looking from London at 16.30GMT on 5 December 2024. Venus

‘Brain rot’: Oxford word of the year 2024 reflects ‘trivial’ use of social media

Oxford names Brain Rot 2024

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93Science | The Guardian / 3d

Expression chosen after public vote describes impact of endless scrolling of mind-numbing content “Brain rot” has been announced as the Oxford word of the year for 2024, amid concerns over endless social media scrolling and mind-numbing content. More than 37,000 people voted to help choose the winner from a shortlist of six words drawn up by Oxford University Press, the publisher of the Oxford En

Nov 30, 2024

‘I felt like a bystander in my own internal recovery’: one woman’s battle for health after a life-changing diagnosis

Science | The Guardian / 4d

Facing an enormous decision about her health filled Kat Lister with wonder at her body’s ability to fight for her The 2cm wound to the right of my bellybutton had been oozing for days. A syrupy weep in the well of my abdomen. A surgical pothole so small that it felt almost indulgent to photograph it in my bathroom mirror. As if these tiny keyhole incisions dotted around my swollen stomach – one,

Why I regret using 23andMe: I gave up my DNA just to find out I’m British

20Science | The Guardian / 4d

I gave away my genetic information to a now imploding company for results that inspired nothing but ambivalence 23andMe is facing implosion. As the once-promising genetic testing company flounders – losing 98% of its $6bn value, all its independent board members, nearly half its staff – many of its 15 million customers are scrambling to delete their DNA data from the company’s archives. I am one

‘Photographs did not do it justice’: King Louis XV’s magnificent rhino is star of new London exhibition

Science | The Guardian / 4d

After wowing the court of Versailles over 200 years ago, the jet-black beast is back in the spotlight at the Science Museum King Louis XV’s rhinoceros was the star of the court of Versailles. Fed on a diet of bread, its tough hide was regularly massaged with oil. But it proved not an easy pet to keep and unfortunately killed two people who entered its enclosure. Now, the magnificent beast, since

If AI can provide a better diagnosis than a doctor, what’s the prognosis for medics? | John Naughton

Science | The Guardian / 4d

Studies in which ChatGPT outperformed scientists and GPs raise troubling questions for the future of professional work AI means too many (different) things to too many people. We need better ways of talking – and thinking – about it. Cue, Drew Breunig , a gifted geek and cultural anthropologist, who has come up with a neat categorisation of the technology into three use cases: gods, interns and c

The big idea: on Remembrance Day for Lost Species, here’s why it matters

Science | The Guardian / 5d

A way to personally connect with wildlife is vital when statistics alone can’t convey the scale of the loss Sixty-six million years ago, an asteroid struck Earth, causing the extinction of around 75% of all species. This event was so significant that we now use it to define the boundary between the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. There had only been four extinction events of this magnitude up until t

Can goats predict earthquakes? Can dogs forecast volcanic eruptions? These scientists think so

100+Science | The Guardian / 5d

Tracking the behaviour of tagged animals from space could transform the research into a host of natural phenomena Scientists are enlisting some unusual recruits in their efforts to forecast earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other natural phenomena. They are enrolling thousands of dogs, goats,